Fujitsu partners pass education exam

Vendor and its resellers hope to get share of £100m contract

Fujitsu Siemens Computers and its resellers could be about to reap the benefits of a huge public sector contract.

The vendor and its education partners are attempting to win a major share of the £100m being put forward by the National Grid for Learning in its Laptops for Teachers initiative.

After being named as a preferred vendor, Fujitsu Siemens put five of its partners forward for the promotion, of which three were selected by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) as preferred suppliers.

Fujitsu Siemens is supplying its successful resellers - LiNKS Education, Merseygrid and Tekys - with its C1010 Lifebook at large discounts.

A total of 25 resellers supplying products from 12 manufacturers have been put forward to Becta. The education sector support is part of phase two of Fujitsu Siemens' channel push into vertical markets.

Dave Cullinane, Fujitsu Siemens' UK managing director, said in a statement: "Earlier this year we announced that we would extend our channel commitment with a drive into the education sector as part of the continued development of our UK indirect business."

Roland Westlake, managing director at LiNKS Education, said that the initiative will run for two years and that Fujitsu Siemens had been helpful in supporting its chosen partners.

He added that it was much more than straight hardware sales. "It's not just hardware, as Becta wants Windows XP as standard and a help line, as well as a three year warranty," he said. "The computers are not exactly big on margins, but the installation and support is good."

Ian Snadden, director of SME channel sales at Fujitsu Siemens, said: "We are providing these partners with special pricing, sales support and sales propositions as well as giving access to lower-priced display units."

Westlake agreed that the vendor has been supportive in the education arena, and has provided resources to help LiNKS to win business. "It has provided equipment and people to support our presentations," he said.